Silicon Image SIL57XX Controller VS Intel ICH10R (Asus P5Q Series/Maximus II Formula)

[XtremeTiramisu]

The new Silicon Image SIL57XX (SIL5723/5733/5743/5744) controller seems to be a very nice additional feature for setting up RAID config, especially for person who wants to setup RAID 0 array for the first time like myself.
The Sil5723 controller is embedded in the new released Asus P5Q series and the upcomming Maximus II Formula (P45).

Asus Maximus II Formula

Speeding HDD – If you install two newly formatted drives into the Silicon Image 5723 SATA ports, the system will automatically stripe the drives (RAID 0) without the need for drivers. A switch in the BIOS or the enclosed software utility allows for RAID 1 operation. The beauty of this setup is that the SI 5723 performs all array calculations in hardware and does not require special OS driver support. The OS sees the arrays as standard ATA devices. Performance is on par with the ICH10R in our testing. AnandTech - ASUS Introduces the Maximus II Formula featuring the new Intel P45

Asus Maximus II Formula Manual





Extensive readings on Silicon Image Sil57XX controllers:
SteelVine Storage Processors Gen. 2 (Sil 57XX Controllers)
Sil57XX Controller - FAST (RAID 0)


Finally, let's discuss which is the better performer in terms of pure speed. While the new embedded Sil5723 controller found on new Asus P5Q series and Maximus II Formula motherboards give user an easy setup to enjoy fast RAID 0 config, is there a cost in performance for a boost in convenience? Perhaps, will the Intel ICH10R controller outperforms the Sil5723 controller in the future with newer Intel Matrix Storage Driver?(Current driver: 8.2.0.1001) Which controller do you think may be better future friendly, by better I mean in terms of pure performance in speed. To my understandings on the Sil5723 controller, it seems there is no room for further improvment or advancement from software/driver update becouse everything is hardware controlled. Intel ICH10R on the other hand, seems to have wider room for improvement in performance or compatibility from future released Intel Matrix Storage driver update regularily. But if we just focus in performance, will the Sil5723 still going to be performing on par with Intel ICH10R?

It may be still a bit early to discuss this topic, but please tell us what you think, I'm sure there will be more infos to be shared as time goes on.

XT

[BenchZowner]

I will have a board soon, and will perform RAID 0/1 Measurements for the review

[Lloyd]

I always use the ICHxR/nforce controller (chipset dependant of course) over a Silicon Image or JMicron as i always found the ICHxR/nforce to be quicker.

[slim142]

This sounds really interesting. Another nice ROG feature, but as mentioned here, is all about hardware so no further improvements.... we will have to see the benchies. Really interesting if you ask me.

One question, if you go back from Super Speed mode to regular mode, and plug one of the speeding drives to a regular SATA port, wouldnt that mean the end of your RAID and data lost?

[Buckeye]

If they can handle SSD's and have a few more SATA connectors, like 10 or so that Superspeed sounds interesting.

[vengance_01]

Nice touch. I like this idea, but really the software drivers are very to install. With Vista its really simple, just need a flash drive and the files.
I am looking forward to see benchmarks.

[slim142]

Yeah I would like at least 10 SATA ports. 6 is almost nothing now...

[-Zork-]

I will have a board soon, and will perform RAID 0/1 Measurements for the review

Do we have any feedback? which Controller is better?

[BenchZowner]

I will have the first few tests done by Sunday/Monday.
I was on the road most of the time this week due to several stuff that I had to do.

[BenchZowner]

Like I promised, here are some first quick tests with a 2 HDDs RAID 0 Array on both Intel ICH10R & Silicon Image SIL57XX on the Asus P5Q3 Deluxe:

Intel ICH10R



Intel ICH10R with WriteBack Cache Enabled



Silicon Image

[Cob]

Nicely done

[REVHEAD]

So the intel controller is better, bummer.

[genec57]

Great report! I only wish I had read it a week ago before I installed my Vista 64 system on Speeding HDD .
Now, of course, I would like to transfer it all onto Raid 0 with the ICH10R.
As a first step I have cloned my Speeding drive onto another single hard drive and verified that it boots with no problem.
The next step would be to break my existing Speeding HDD set and create a RAID 0, and then clone to the new set.
Before I take that irrevocable step I would like to be sure that Vista will pick up the necessary drivers so that the system will boot and run on the new RAID 0.

[BenchZowner]

Your best chance is:

1) Install the latest Intel Matrix Storage Manager
2) Restart
3) Make new image of the boot array.

[genec57]

Thanks for the speedy reply.
You say "best chance". Does that mean very likely to work or a bit iffy.
The performance gain I will realize from changing to ICH10R is significant but not worth rebuilding my entire system.
Don't mean to put you on the spot - just want a clear idea of the odds before I leap.

[BenchZowner]

With the procedure that I've just mentioned I can almost guarantee you that it'll work

[WhiteFireDragon]

with only a single raptor, would it matter if it plugged in the SIL57XX or ICH10R? and with 3 raptors in RAID0, then i'm forced to plug it into the ICH10R right?

[genec57]

Thanks

[keithallenlaw]

Excuse me but isn't the Speeding HDD feature suppose
to be used in conjunction with another HDD disk in the
Intel slots loaded with the OS? It's purpose was to
boost performance and not to be a sole operations
point.

[BenchZowner]

Excuse me but isn't the Speeding HDD feature suppose
to be used in conjunction with another HDD disk in the
Intel slots loaded with the OS? It's purpose was to
boost performance and not to be a sole operations
point.

Nope.
Speeding HDD is just a stupid, very stupid actually marketing name for the Silicon Image controller.
That's how Asus "named it".
Based on that "the newbies and the average PC user doesn't know what RAID does exactly, so... a catchier name can help them grab some more sales that they wouldn't have gotten if they used "Silicon Image blah blah controller included for RAID 0, or RAID 1" on the package.